FALCONETS’ NEVER SAY DIE!: Nigeria Team List for 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s world cup In Canada

 Most football fans in Nigeria don’t know what to expect from the world cup bound Falconets; not that they care anyway, because they know little or nothing about the team. Joe Achum, one of the fans that spoke with us said: “…I’ll watch the Falconets without much ado…”

The popularity of women football is fast dwindling in Nigeria after the country had dominated Africa for over two decades and won many silver wares in the continent.

Gabriel Kieran, a sports journalist in Nigeria said: “women football is gradually dying in Nigeria because there’s no vibrant league or tournaments to sustain its growth – to develop new talent as the older ones are aging out.”

But another school of thought is of the opinion that women football is rather developing faster in other African countries. Countries like Ghana, Cameroun, Congo DR, South Africa have caught up with Nigeria’s invincibility.

Head Coach, Peter Dedvbo, who steered the U17 team, Flamingos, to the quarter finals of FIFA U-17 women’s world cup in Trinidad and Tobago in 2010 and Azerbaijan in 2012, has included some of his former U-17 stars: Patience Okaseme, Halimatu Ayinde, Jiroro Idike, Uchenna Kanu and Yetunde Adeboyajo, in the current squad.

He also included the tall and spiky forward from Oklahoma state University, Courtney Dike, to strengthen the team upfront.

Dedevbo is very optimistic that his wards will excel in Canada. “The girls are very fit and the team spirit very high. We’ll be approaching each game with the ‘never say die’ mentality and the girls are determined more than ever before to write their names in gold in the world football hall of fame.” Dedevbo enthused.

“I believe in this team. This is Nigeria’s women dream team. It may just be the squad that will deliver to the country its first world cup trophy.”

You can recall that Nigeria has featured in every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women World cup and Dedevbo has a wealth of experience he can draw from as he pilot these girls. He may not be making empty boast.

Full Team List:

Goalkeepers:
Sandra Chiihii (Ibom Angels);
 Ibijoke Sangonuga (Inneh Queens);
Chiudo Ehiudo (Delta Queens)

Defenders:
 Ebere Okoye (Nasarawa Amazons);
Jiroro Idike (Delta Queens);
Maryam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons);

Sarah Nnodim (Delta Queens);
Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels);
Victoria Aidelomon (Pelican Stars);
Gladys Abasi (Ibom Angels).

Midfielders: Asisat Oshoala (Rivers Angels);
Patience Okaeme (Delta Queens);
Halimatu Ayinde (Delta Queens);
Yetunde Adeboyejo (Bayelsa Queens);
Osarenoma Igbinovia (Inneh Queens).

Forwards:
Loveth Ayila (Makwada Babes);
Courtney Dike (Oklahoma State University, USA);
Uchenna Kanu (Pelican Stars);
Yetunde Aluko (Sunshine Queens);